Washington's Letters About Literature 2014

Washington's 2014 Letters About Literature Awards Ceremony

The Letters About Literature awards ceremony for this year's state champions, runners up, and honorable mentions was held on Friday, May 9th in the Columbia Room in the Legislative Building in Olympia. State Librarian Rand Simmons welcomed everyone and First Lady Trudi Inslee spoke to the assembled guests. Secretary of State Kim Wyman presented the honorable mentions and runners up with their award certificates and then she introduced each state champion and invited them to read their letters.

Peter Baumer, a fourth grader from Port Orchard, is the Level 1 state champion. He won $125 from the State Library. Peter wrote his letter to Laura Ingalls Wilder about her book Farmer Boy.

Owen Bernstein, a seventh grader at Eastside Catholic Middle School in Sammamish, is the Level 2 state champion. He won $125 from the State Library. Owen wrote his letter to Orson Scott Card about his book Pastwatch.

Cindy Kuang, a tenth grader at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, is the Level 3 state champion. She won $125 from the State Library. Cindy wrote her letter to Jerry Spinelli about his book Smiles to Go.

Secretary Wyman hosted the state champions and their families in her office for a brief visit prior to the ceremony and both she and Mrs. Inslee posed for photos with each group of winners.

The champions, runners up, and honorable mentions were selected by our state judges from 210 semifinalist letters. There were 78 semifinalists in Level 1, 86 semifinalists in Level 2, and 46 semifinalists in Level 3. All state semifinalists were mailed an award certificate signed by Secretary of State Wyman and State Librarian Rand Simmons.

Approximately 4,245 Washington students submitted letters for the 2014 contest. 1,030 letters advanced to round 2 judging and 210 semifinalist letters returned to WA for round 3 state judging. From the 210 semifinalist letters, the state judges selected three champions, three second place runners up, and 26 honorable mentions. The three champions' letters have been sent to the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress for the national competition. The results of the national judging were announced June 2nd. Unfortunately, our champions' letters did not place at the national level.

Many schools from around the state had students enter this year's contest. We appreciate the support of teachers, librarians, and parents for Letters About Literature.

Level 1 (grades 4-6)

WA Entries

Round 2 Judging

Round 3 Judging (State Semifinalists)

Champion

Runner Up

Honorable Mentions

2,248

430

78

1

1

9

Level 2 (grades 7-8)

WA Entries

Round 2 Judging

Round 3 Judging (State Semifinalists)

Champion

Runner Up

Honorable Mentions

1,549

468

86

1

1

9

Level 3 (grades 9-12)

WA Entries

Round 2 Judging

Round 3 Judging (State Semifinalists)

Champion

Runner Up

Honorable Mentions

448

132

46

1

1

8

Letters About Literature encourages young readers to read a book and write a letter to the author about how the book changed their view of the world or themselves. Students can write about works of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Letter writers compete at three levels: Level 1 is grades 4-6, Level 2 is grades 7-8, and Level 3 is grades 9-12. State judges select the top letter writer in each level and those letters advance to the national competition. One national winner per level receives a $1,000 cash award and one national honor per level receives a $200 cash award.